Radiant heat drying construction



April 1, 1947. w, wlLsON Y RADIANT HEAT DRYING CoNsTRUcToN 3 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1943 lllllllllllllu pril 194?. l W W1L5ON 2,418,283

RADIANT HEAT DRYING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. `28, 1945 i5 Sheets-$heet 2 my@ j April 1, 1947. w. WILSON RADIANT HEAT DRYING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 28, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 1, 17947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

My invention relates to drying apparatus and more particularly to a drying tunnel in which the coated articles to be dried are subjected to the action of infrared rays from a battery of lamps arranged to form a tunnel-like structure surrounding the articles.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application Serial Number 399.033, filed April 24, 1941, now Patent No. 2,317,426, dated April 27, 1943.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a battery of lamps in which the rows of lamps may be readily adjusted to form many diiferent cross sections of the tunnel.

A further object is to provide an improved form of gang adjustment for the lamps.

A further object is to provide an improved explosion-proof construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the description and claims.

In the drawings, in which several embodiments of my invention are shown,

Figure 1 is a front elevational veiw showing one side of the drying tunnel;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the structure of Fig.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing the reflector rows in a diierent position from that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan View of the end portion of a bank of reflectors;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig'. 4, showing the connection between adjacent banks;

Fig. 6 is a section substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig, 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the wiring channel showing the manner of removing the cover;

Fig. 8 is a plan View similar to 4 but showing a gang focusing construction;

Fig. 9 is an end view of the construction shown in Fig, 8;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view showing apparatus for preventing dust from entering the lamp enclosure; A

Fig. 1l is a detail View showing how wiring channel sections may be connected;

Fig, 12 is a diagrammatic view showing how the sections are used to form a tunnel through which the articles to be wired are passed;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing another form;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged perspective View show;-

ing a portion oi the wiring tunnel, baie plate, and a number of lamps;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail view showing the connection between the banks; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line lS-I6 of Fig. 15.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the construction shown comprises a pair of standards I, a plurality of horizontally extending parallel wiring conduits 2, a plurality of lamp sockets 3 mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting lamps 4 extending transversely with respect to the conduit, reflector means 5 for the lamps also mounted on each conduit, and means for pivotally connecting the conduits for relative swinging movement about an axis parallel to the conduits and adjacent contiguous edges of the reiiectors of adjacent banks of reilectors, one of said conduits 2a being supported between said standards and the other rows of lamps with their conduits being supported from the conduit 2o mounted on the standards.

The means for pivotally connecting the conduits for relative swinging movement about an axis parallel to the conduits comprise a pair of brackets 6 secured, respectively, to ends of a wiring channel, a pair of duadrantal plates 1, one secured to each of these brackets, a pivot pin 8 extending through the bracket 6 of one row and the quadrantal plate 1 of another row, and a clamping screw 9, nut lil, and washer Il (Figs. 4 and 5), located adjacent the arcuate edge of the quadrantal plate "I and extending through the bracket 6 for clamping the adjacent rows of lamps in any desired position of pivotal adjustment. The xed row of lamps, which in general may be the central row, may be secured to the standard by means of clamping members l2 and i3 embracing the standard, one of the clamping members l2 being secured to the bracket 6 and the other clamping member being provided with a pair of clamping screws hl and l5 for drawing the camping members up to grip the standard I. One of these clamping bolts i4 may be used to provide the pivot for the adjacent row of lamps.

The reectors may be secured to the wiring channel by means of strap brackets I6 riveted to the wiring conduit 2 and to the rims of the reflectors 5.

Fig. 12 shows an end view of a tunnel, with the rows of reflectors disposed to provide a low, wide tunnel, through which a skeleton conveyor 16a may pass, carrying the articles |612r to be subjected to the surface drying rays.

Figs. 6 and 7 show one form of wiring conduit in which the cover may be readily removed. This is accomplished by providing the edges of the wiring conduit with inwardly-extending grooves or beads i1 into which the inwardly-extending edges I3 of the flanges |8c of the cover snap. In order to remove the cover, the thin edge of the blade |9 of a screw driver may be pressed against the junction point of the edge of the inwardly-extending edges !8 with the trough of the groove |1 of the wiring channel, whereupon by giving a slight twist to the screw driver, the cover 2D will be lifted as shown in Fig. "I, one corner of the screw driver nding a purchase against the lower edge of the-flange ISa of the cover and the other finding a purchase against the side of the groove 1 of the conduit.

In some installations, it is necessary occasionally to change the focus of the lamps because of the variety of work passing through the tunnel. For this type of installation, a gang focusing construction has been devised. This enables an entire row of reectors to be focused at the same time. For this purpose, the sockets 3 are all mounted on an adjustable strip or base 2| which its inside the wiring channel and which base can be held in any desired transverse adjustment with respect to the conduit 2 by means ofthe clamping nuts 22. To enable this adjustment, the wire channel is provided with a pair of transverse slots 23, one at each end, through which the clamping screw 24 secured to the adjustable base 2| extends and on which screw the clamping thumb nut 22 is threaded for holding the base in any position to which it may be adjusted. If desired, a scale 25 and pointer 26 may be provided to enable the two ends to be evenly adjusted and to indicate the exact adjustment.

The construction shown in Fig. enables air under superatmospheric pressure to be supplied to the lamp enclosure to prevent the entry of explosive gases or dust-laden air into the lamp enclosure. The enclosure itself has extremely small gas leakage so that a small supply of compressed air to the enclosure will cause a. constant minute flow of air from the inside of the enclosure to the out-side through the small leak passages which may exist and will prevent the entrance of any vexplosive gases or dust-laden air into the enclosure. has a gas-tight connection with the conduit 2, the vwiring conduit itself being gas-tight except for an escape or safety valve 28 to prevent excess pressure in the conduit. A pressure regulating valve could be substituted for the safety valve 28. The air under a small superatmospheric pressure may be supplied to the conduit through a pipe 29.

A pressure-controlled circuit controller 30 may be provided to shut off the current if the pressure fails. The circuit controller shown comprises a bridging conductor 3| operated by a diaphragm `32 subjected to the pressure in the conduit 2 through the passage 33. When the pressure is on, the conductor 3| completes the circuit between the contacts 34, and when the pressure fails, the diaphragm 32 moves from the dottedline position to the full-line position to break lthe circuit.

If it is desired to make the tunnel longer, the wiring channels may be lengthened by a splice .plate as shown in Fig. l1.

The construction shown in Figs. 1.3-16, inclusive, comprises a frame having a pair of uprights v35 at each end thereof on which are mounted the vertically adjustable, pivotally connected banks For this purpose, the reflector neck 21 of reector lamps 35. In this form, the banks of reector lamps are connected in such a way that the tier of banks may be flexed in either direction; that is to say, either inwardly or outwardly. Instead of separate bulbs and reilectors, the reector is combined in an electric bulb by providing the rear part of the interior of the bulb with a reective coating, leaving the front part clear to serve as a lens. Such units are known as sealed beam reflector lamps. They may be inserted in sockets 31 mounted on the wiring channel 38, as in Figs. 1-7, inclusive. Suitable openings 39 are provided in the bailie plate 40 of somewhat larger diameter than the diameter of the front of the reflector bulbs, through which openings the light is projected. The balile plate 40 and wiring channel 38 may be secured to end plate 40a as shown in Fig. 14. Any suitable clamping means 4| may be provided for holding the banks of units in their vertically adjusted position on the uprights 35. The uprights 35 are mounted on a base 4|a provided with rollers or casters 4 b.

Each bank is connected to an adjacent bank by means of a double-jointed connection, shown in detail in Figs. l5 and 16, so that, Within limits, the tunnel may be flexed to any desired shape, as shown in Fig. l5. This double-jointed connection comprises a two-part link member 42 pivotally connected at 43 with one bank of reflectors and pivotally connected at 44 with another bank of reectors. Each part of the hinge connecting link comprises a quadrantal portion 45 which overlaps the end plate 40a of one of the two banks and which quadrantal portion may be clamped snugly into engagement with the end plate by means of a nut 46, clamping screw 41 and a pair of clamping strips 48 which embrace an end plate 48a of one of the banks and the quadrantal portion 45, so that, when the clamping screw 41 is tightened up, the quadrantal portion 45 is clamped snugly against the end plate 40a of the adjacent bank to hoid the link member 42 rigidly with respect to this bank. If desired, these clamping plates 48 may be designed so that the pivot Vscrew 49 will extend through the clamping plates as well as through the quadrantal portion 45 and the adjacent end plate 40a. By loosening the clamping screws and adjusting the adjacent reflector banks and then tightening up the clamping screws, the tunnel may be given any desired cross section within the limits imposed by the design of the double-jointed hinge.

One of the functions of the baille plate shield 40 is to prevent drafts of air from carrying away too much of the heated air within the tunnel. Also, if ventilation is desired around the lamps and within the tunnel, the adjacent banks of lamps may be adjusted so that there will ce an opening between adjacent baffle plates 4 to allow some circulation. t is obvious that the front baille plate 40 with the openings in it might be used advantageously with the construction of Figs. 1-7, inclusive, in which the reflector and lamp bulb are not parts of the same unit.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: f

1. A heat-radiating drying constructioncomprising two elongated parallel banks, each bank comprising a series of longitudinally-spaced, aligned, electric, heat-radiating sourcesv andl reector means therefor. and meansy for connecting said banks for relative movement comprising a linkage having a pivotal connection with one bank providing relativeA swinging movement between the bank and linkage; about an axis extending longitudinally of the bank and having a pivotal connection with the other bank to provide relative swinging movement between said other bank and said linkage about an axis spaced from said rst axis and parallel thereto, and means for securing either one or both of said pivotal connections against pivotal movement whereby the banks may be adjusted about their axes and secured in adjusted position, one of said axes being substantially nearerA to the front of` its reilector means than the other axis is to the front of its reflector means.

2. A heat-radiating drying construction comprising two elongated parallel banks, each bank comprising a series of longitudinally-spaced, aligned, electric, heat-radiating sources and reflector' means therefor', and means for connecting said' banks for relative movement comprising a linkage having a pivotal connection with one bank providing relative. swinging movement between the bank and linkage about an axis extending longitudinally of the bank and having a pivotal connection with the other bank to provide relative swinging movement between said other bank and said linkage about an axis spaced from said rst axis and parallel thereto, and means for securing either one or both of said pivotal connections against pivotal movement whereby the banks may be adjusted about their axes and secured in adjusted position, each bank having an j end plate extending transversely of said axes, said linkage comprising a plate-like member having portions juxtaposed with respect to said end plates, said securing means comprising means for clamping said juxtaposed portions and end plates togetherto hold the banks in adjusted relative position, one of said axes being substantially nearer to the front of itsY reflector means than theother axis is to the front of its reector means.

3. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality of parallel elongated wiring conduits, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting radiant heat sources spaced laterally with respect to said conduit, reector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit withk each conduit for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, andmeans for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis closely adjacent the adjacent edges of the reector means on said plurality of units and parallel to said conduits and in front of the general plane of said conduits whereby the conduits separate as the convergence of the beams increases, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket.

4. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality of parallel elongated wiring conduits, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting radiant heat sources spaced laterally with respect to said conduit, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each conduit for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis closly adjacent the adjacent edges of the' reflector means on said plurality oi units and parallel to said conduits, and in front of the general plane of said conduits whereby the conduits separate as the convergence of the beams increases, and supporting means to which one of said units is secured, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket.

5. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality oi parallel elongated wiring conduits, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting radiant heat sources spaced laterally with respect to said conduit, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each conduit, and means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis parallel to said conduits, the means for pivotally connecting said units comprising a bracket secured to one of said units having an arcuate edge portion with its center in said axis, and securing means engaging said edge portion to hold the units in adjusted relative position, said radiant heat sources and reiiector means .comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket.

6. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality of parallel elongated wiring conduits, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting radiant heat sources spaced laterally with respect to said conduit, reilector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each conduit for directing a beam-like nood of light from the reilector means on each unit, and means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis parallel to said conduits and in front of the general plane of said conduits whereby the conduits separate as the convergence of the beams increases, the edges of said reilector means extending to points closely adjacent said axis, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reector lamps, one mounted in each socket.

7. A heat-radiating drying construction comprising two elongated parallel banks, each bank comprising a series of longitudinally-spaced aligned electric heat-radiating sources and reector means therefor, and means for connecting said banks for relative movement comprising a linkage having a pivotal connection with one bank providing relative swinging movement between the bank and linkage about an axis extending longitudinally of the bank and having a pivotal connection with the other bank to provide relative swinging movement between said other bank and said linkage about an axis spaced from said rst axis and parallel thereto, one of said axes being substantially nearer to the front of its reector means than the other axis is to the front of its reflector means.

8. A heat-radiating drying construction comprising two elongated parallel banks, each bank comprising a series of longitudinally-spaced aligned electric heat-radiating sources and reflector means therefor, and neans for connecting said banks for relative movement comprising a linkage having a pivotal connection with one bank providing relative swinging movement, between the bank and linkage about an axis extending longitudinally of the bank and having a pivotal connection with the other bank to provide relative swinging movement between said other bank and said linkage about an axisy spaced from said being substantially nearer to the front of its reflector means than the other axis is to the iront of its reflector means, each bank having an end plate extending transversely of said axes, said linkage comprising a plate-like member having portions juxtaposed with respect to said end plates, and means for clamping said juxtaposed portions and end plates together to hold the banks in adjusted relative position.

9. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality of parallel elongated wiring conduits, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting radiant heat sources spaced laterally with respect to said conduit, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each conduit for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, and means for connecting said units for relative movement comprising a linkage having a pivotal connection with one unit providing relative swinging movement between the unit and linkage about an axis extending longitudinally of the unit and having a pivotal connection with the other unit to provide relative swinging movement about an axis spaced from said first axis and parallel thereto, one of said axes being substantially nearer to the front of its reector means than the other axis is to the front of its reflector means.

10. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality of parallel elongated wiring conduits, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each conduit for supporting radiant heat sources spaced laterally with respect to said conduit, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each conduit for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis closely adjacent the adjacent edges of the reflector means on said plurality of units and parallel to said conduits and in front of the general plane of said conduits whereby the conduits separate as the convergence of the beams increases, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket, and a plurality of baille plates, one for each conduit mounted to move as a unit therewith and having openings for the passage of light from said reilector means.

1l. A heat radiating drying construction comprising two elongated parallel banks, each bank comprising a series of longitudinally-spaced aligned electric heat-radiating sources and reflector means therefor, and means for connecting said banks for relative movement comprising a linkage having a pivotal connection with one bank adjacent the front thereof providing relative swinging movement between the bank and linkage about an axis extending longitudinally of the bank and having a pivotal connection with the other bank adjacent the rear thereof to provide relative swinging movement between said other bank and said linkage, said axes being spaced apart sufnciently to enable said banks to approach each other closely in one position of adjustment and to separate from each other in another position of adjustment.

12. A radiant hea-t drying construction cornprising a plurality of parallel elongated rear supporting members, a plurality of sockets, mounted in spaced relation on each supporting member for supporting a radiant heat source,

8 spaced laterally with respectl to' said supporting member, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each supporting member for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, and means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis closely adjacent the adjacent edges of the reflector means on said plurality of units and parallel to said supporting members and in front of the general plane of said supporting members whereby the supporting members separate as the convergence of the beams increases, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket.

13. A radiant heat drying construction cornprising a plurality of parallel elongated rear supporting members, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each supporting member for supporting a radiant heat source, spaced laterally with respect to said supporting member, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each supporting member for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis closely adjacent the adjacent edges of the reflector means on said plurality of units and parallel to said supporting members and in front of the general plane of said supporting members whereby the supporting members separate as the convergence of the beams increases, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket, and a plurality of baille plates, one for each supporting member, mounted to move as a unit therewith, and having openings for the passage of light from said reflector means.

14. A radiant heat drying construction cornprising a plurality of parallel elongated rear supporting members, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each supporting member for supporting a radiant heat source, spaced laterally with respect to said supporting member, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each supporting member for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis parallel to said supporting members and in front of the general plane of said supporting members whereby the supporting members separate as the convergence of the beams increases, said radiant heat sources and reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket, and a plurality of baffle plates, one for each supporting member, mounted to move as a unit therewith, and having openings for the passage of light from said reflector means, said axis being adjacent adjacent edges of `said baflle plates.

15. A radiant heat drying construction comprising a plurality of parallel elongated rear supporting members, a plurality of sockets mounted in spaced relation on each supporting member for supporting a radiant heat source, spaced laterally with respect to said supporting member, reflector means for said sources mounted to move as a unit with each supporting member for directing a beam-like flood of light from the reflector means on each unit, and means for pivotally connecting said units for relative swinging movement about an axis closely'adjacent the adjacent edges of the reflector means on said 9 plurality of units and parallel to said supporting members and in front of the general plane of said supporting members whereby the supporting members separate as the convergence of the beams increases, said radiant heat sources and s reflector means comprising a plurality of sealed beam reflector lamps, one mounted in each socket, a plurality of baffle plates, one for each supporting member, mounted to move as a unit therewith, and having openings for the passage of light from said reflector means, said axis being adjacent adjacent edges of said baille plates, and end plates adjacent the ends of each bailie plate and mounted to move therewith.

WESLEY WILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

